‘ar-razaa-‘ati – (foster relatives), it
aims the woman, who is not real mother, but who suckles any other child. Real
children of that woman are called foster-brothers and foster-sisters of that
child, and that woman is called his/her foster-mother.

Allah Almighty had described unlawfulness of marriage
with the step-mother in the previous verses. Now those other women are being
mentioned here, with whom the marriage is prohibited. This detail is very
clear, so there is no form of dissension or misunderstanding now.

These women belong to some different kinds. At
first those, who are unlawful due to genealogical relationship and they are
seven – 1. Mother, 2. Daughter, 3.
Sister, 4. Paternal Aunt, 5.
Maternal Aunt, 6. Brother’s
Daughter (Niece), 7. Sister’s Daughter
(Niece). None is permitted to marry any one out of these seven close relatives.

As paternal and maternal grandmothers (and upwards)
are included in the prohibition order of marriage with the mother, likewise, grand-daughters
(daughter of the son and daughter of the daughter and downwards) are also
included in the prohibition order of marriage with the daughter. Marriage with
the sisters, ‘ainii (sisters, who have same father
and mother), ‘alaatii (sisters due to father only)and ‘akhyaafii (sisters by the same mother but by a different
father) is also prohibited including father’s
and mother’s sisters, grandfather’s and grandmother’s (and their upwards)
sisters. Real and step-sisters of above all are included. In addition, the
nieces, (daughters of all above kinds of brothers and sisters, and their
downwards) come also in this category.

Besides genealogical forbidden relatives, there
are some foster relatives too, prohibited to be married. These are two – mother
and sister, and seven others, which have been described above in the genealogical
relationship {Mother, Daughter, Sister, Paternal Aunt, Maternal Aunt, Brother’s
Daughter (Niece), Sister’s Daughter (Niece)}. These are also unlawful to be
married in the fostering relationship. That is to say; foster-daughter,
foster-aunt (either paternal or maternal), foster-niece (either paternal or
maternal), all are unlawful to be married. These details and likewise other
orders in this connection exist in the ‘Ahaadith
(Sayings of Messenger, Muhammad (grace, glory, blessings and peace of Allah
Almighty be upon him) with explanation.

Transliterated Holy Qur’an in Roman Script & Translated from Arabic to English by Marmaduke Pickthall, Published by Paak Company, 17-Urdu Bazar, Lahore, Lesson collected from Dars e Qur’an published By Idara Islah wa Tableegh, Lahore (translated
Urdu to English by Muhammad Sharif).